Apparatus for fragmenting glass

ABSTRACT

A glass container compacting device particularly adapted for breaking or smashing glassware, particularly glass containers such as bottles to reduce same to fragments capable of occupying a substantially reduced volume. The apparatus comprises a cradle for supporting the glass container fixedly within a closed receptacle for shielding the operator during breaking and for receiving the resultant fragments. A shaft is located within the receptacle and connects to a motive power source which may be a manually actuable crank located outside the receptacle. A striker is eccentrically mounted on the shaft and within the receptacle for movement along a path through the glass container and is coupled to an energy storage member. A rest or stop prevents movement of the striker toward the bottle during storage of energy in said energy storage member. After loading of the bottle onto the cradle and closure of the receptacle, rotation of the shaft positions the striker against the stop, stores energy in the energy storage means and thereafter releases the striker from the stop whereby the energy storage member forcibly impels the striker into contact with the bottle or the like to fragmentize same, the fragments dropping from the cradle into a position of storage in the receptacle. In a modified embodiment, the stop is eccentrically mounted on the shaft.

United States Patent Vander Jagt 1 June 4, 1974 1 APPARATUS FOR F RAGMENTING GLASS Adrian Dean Vander Jagt, 4075 State St'., Bridgeport, Mich. 48722 [22] Filed: Mar. 29, 1972 [21] Appl. N0.: 239,222

[76] inventor:

[52] US. Cl. 241/99 [51] Int. Cl. B02c 19/14 [58] Field of Search 241/99, 185; I93, 195

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,655,320 10/1953 Westrate 241/99 Primary Examiner- Roy Lake Assistant Examiner- E. F. Desmond Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Woodhams, Blanchard and Flynn [57] ABSTRACT A glass container compacting device particularly adapted for breaking or smashing glassware, particularly glass containers such as bottles to reduce same to fragments capable of occupying a substantially reduced volume. The apparatus comprises a cradle for supporting the glass container fixedly within a closed receptacle for shielding the operator during breaking and for receiving the resultant fragments. A shaft is located within the receptacle and connects to a motive' power source which may be a manually actuable crank located outside the receptacle. A striker is eccentrically mounted on the shaft and within the reccptacle for movement along a path through the glass container and is coupled to an energy storage member A rest or stop prevents movement of the striker toward the bottle during storage of energy in said energy storage member. After loading of the bottle onto the cradle and closure of the receptacle, rotation of the shaft positions the striker against the stop, stores energy in the energy storage means and thereafter releases the striker from the stop whereby the energy storage member forcibly impels the striker into contact with the bottle or the like to fragmentize same. the fragments dropping from the cradle into a position of storage in the receptacle. In a modified embodiment, the stop is eccentrically mounted on the shaft.

13 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures 1 APPARATUS FOR FRAGMENTING GLASS FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to apparatus for fragmentizing and compacting glass containers or the like, and more particularly relates to apparatus usable with a recepta- BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention arose in recognition of a need for a device of simple construction and cost capable of safely and efficiently smashing or fragmentizing glass containers or the like so as to reduce'the effective space occupied thereby and enable storage and/or transport thereof in a more compact form. Although the device embodying the invention is usable for fragmentizing other brittle or fragile objects, particularly those of glass or the-like, it is primarily intended for, and will be described in connection with, glass containers, particularly bottles of non-returnable or nonreusable type.

Although glasscontainers, for example bottles, have long been in commercial use as containers for packaging of goods to be sold. many products, particularly beverages, were sold in the past primarily or exclusively in so-called returnable bottles for which the consumer paid a deposit at the time of purchase, which deposit was returned to the consumer upon return of the emptied containe'r'to a retail outlet. However, in'the last to years, therehas come into increasing use, particularly for beverages, the so-called non-returnable or non-reusable-bottle, for which no deposit is paid or returned and which when emptied is normally discarded. This trend has continued until many high volume commodities previously sold in returnable glass containers are now sold for the most part or exclusively in nonreturnable bottles.

Thus, a substantial disposal problem has resulted, not only for the individual consumer, but for society as a whole. More particularly, such glass containers occupy a substantial amount of space, are relatively strong, are not malleable or crushable to a compacted size, are not combustable and are highly stable in the environment, that is, do not rust or corrode or otherwise decompose. Thus, discarded glass containers may exist unchanged in the environment for a great number of years.

As an environmental pollution problem, such glass containers, for example discarded casually by theside of the road, are not only long-lived but are unsightly and, when broken are adanger to passing persons or animals due to the sharp cutting edges of their fragments. On the other hand, even when attempts are made to dispose of such containers in a careful manner, they occupy an unduly large amount of space in trash or garbage receptacles, in trash removing vehicles and at dumping or landfill sites.

Thus, disposal of such glass containers has been a substantial problem to individual consumer, commercial and industrial users and wash disposal agencies.

Individual consumers have occasionally attempted to compact such bottles by manually breaking same with a hammer or the like. However, such is unsatisfactory since the resulting fragments normally fly in all directions with substantial speed and to a substantial distance, presenting an immediate physical danger to the consumer as well as the danger that fragments will come to rest at remote locations and escape further notice until someone is cut thereby.

Prior mechanized attempts to compact such glassware by fragmentationhave generally been unsatisfactory by reason of being unsafe for the operator, unduly complex and costly or for other reasons.

In addition, it has been found that waste glass containers, preferably in fragmented form, can, if properly sorted according to color and freed from foreign ob jects, be recycled and used in production of new glass containers. A number of additional and unrelated uses have been found for waste glass fragments, such as use as a component in paving. Thus, fragmented glass in many instances has a commercial value.

Accordingly, the objects of this invention include provision of:

A device for fragmentizing and compacting glass containers or the like of substantially varying size and shape and which is capable of effecting a substantial reduction in the space or volume occupied by such glass containers.

A device, as aforesaid, which is adaptable to use in a wide variety of situations ranging from the bottle disposal needs of an individual consumer to those of com mercial retail, wholesale and manufacturing entities, together with other large and small scale users of glass containers or thelike which require disposal.

A device, as aforesaid, capable of operation within a closed receptacle, operable either manually, or through motor means, from the exterior of such receptacle and wherein the fragmenting glass is contained and adjacent persons and property are safeguarded from flying glass fragments.

' A device, as aforesaid, which is extremely simple to operate and requires no special skills to operate, which in its preferred form requires only loading of the glass container, closure of the receptacle and, thereafter, a

simple and low force motion to achieve cocking and release of the striking mechanism and fragmentation of the glass container.

A device, as aforesaid, adapted to use with a wide variety of types of support and receptacle combinations, including as an example, the common trash or garbage can.

A device, as aforesaid, which is of simple construction and requires relatively small operator force input, yet provides for a very substantial impact force on glass containers to be fragmented and provides a high degree of glassware fragmentation and compaction.

A device, as aforesaid, which is readily constructable at lowcost in large and small quantities by use of relatively simple tools and which is marketable at relatively low cost.

A device, as aforesaid, which may be manufactured in a highly durable form and which is capable of a long service life with little or no maintenance over long periods of time.

Other objects and purposes of this invention will be apparent to persons acquainted with apparatus of this type upon reading the following specification and inspecting the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a fragmentary, exploded, partially broken, pictorial view of apparatus according to the present invention and disclosing in broken lines a glass container to be fragmented.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged pictorial view, seen from beneath, of a fragment of the operating mechanism of the apparatus of FIG. 1. 7

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary, sectional view substantially as taken on the line llllll of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 but showing portions of the apparatus in different positions of use.

FIG. 5 is a partly broken, fragmentary view generally similar in orientation to FIG. 2 and showing a modified apparatus in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view substantially taken on the line VIVI of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary view, generally similar in orientation-to FIG. 2 and showing a further modification.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view substantially taken on the line VlIl-VIII of FIG. 7.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The objects and purposes of the invention are met by providing a glass container compacting device particularly adapted for breaking or smashing glassware, particularly glass containers such as bottles to reduce same to fragments capable of occupying a substantially reduced volumeQThe' apparatus comprises a cradle for supporting the glass container fixedly within a closed receptacle for shielding the operator during breaking and for receiving the resultant'fragments. A shaft is located within the receptacle and connects to a motive power source which may be a manually actuable crank located outside the receptacle. A'striker is eccentrically mounted on the shaft and within the receptacle for movement along a path through the glass container and is coupled to an energy storage member. A rest or stop prevents movement of the striker toward the bottle during storage of energy in said energy storage member. After loading ofthe bottle onto the cradle and closure of the receptacle, rotation of the shaft positions the striker against the stop, stores energy in the energy storage means and thereafter releases the striker from the stop whereby theenergy storage member forcibly impels the striker into contact with the bottle or the like to fragmentize same, the fragments dropping from the cradle into a position of storage in the receptacle. In a modified embodiment. the stop is eccentrically mounted on the shaft.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION FIG. 1 discloses a preferred embodiment of the in-' vention in the form of an apparatus 10 including a fragmentation and compacting device ll integrated with a receptacle 13. In the particular embodiment shown, the receptacle 13 comprises an open-topped receiver 16 of generally cylindrical, here frustoconical form, the open upper end of which is adapted to be closed by a cover 17 having an overhanging annular flange 18 adapted to telescopingly receive the upper sidewall of thereceiver. A handle 19 is preferably provided on the cover to en able manual lifting thereof to allow access to-the receiver. The particular receptacle 13 shown may conveniently be a conventional trash or garbage can of plastic, or in thcparticular embodiment shown. metal.

Although the particular receptacle 13 shown is particularly adapted for wide use by individuals or business users of various types, it is contemplated that the fragmentation and compacting device 1l may be used in connection with receptacles of widely varying types capable of receiving glassware to be fragmented and compacted (such as the bottle indicated in broken lines at 20 in FIG. 1), protecting the user during fragmentation and receiving the resulting fragments for storage or transportation. For example, it is contemplated that a suitable receptacle could readily be built into cabinetry of a commercial establishment serving beverages from disposable containers over the counter wherein the glass container'to be fragmented would simply be inserted intoa coverable opening in the counter and the device ll located within such built-in receptacle would then be actuated from outside the counter.

Returning to the particular embodiment shown in FIG. 1, although the device 11 may be built into the receiver 16, it is in the embodiment shown preferably built into the cover 17 both for convenience in use and safety. More particularly, the device 11 when mounted on the cover 17, is more conveniently operated, and 1 thus more likely to be operated, when the cover 17 is installed on the receiver 16, thereby completely enclosing flying fragments resulting from fragmentation of the glass container.

The device 11 comprises'a glass container carrier including an elongate support, 22 havinga base flange 23 secured, as by spot welding (not shown), to the top of the cover 17 near the rim thereof. The central portion 24 of the support 22 is elongate, substantially planar and extends from the base 23 substantially downwardly fromthe top cover 17 and is angled radially. inwardly to a small extent. The lower end of the central portion 24 carries a substantially triangular mounting flange 26 bent on an angled fold linefrom the lower end of the central portion 22 and providing a face angled toward a portion of the cover flange l9.

A striker rest or stop 28 (FIGS. 1 and 2) is carried by the support 22 for purposes appearing hereinafter. In

the particular embodiment shown, the rest 28 is of substantially L-shaped cross section comprising a base element 30 fixed, as by spot welding, to a face (the rightward face in FIG. 2) of the mounting flange 26 and extending past the adjacent end of the central portion 24 of the support. The base element 30 integrally carries a rest element 31 which extends away from'the depending support 22. I

A shaft 33 is carried for rotation by the support 22 and preferably by the cover 17. In the particular embodiment shown, the shaft 33 extends through bearing holes 32 and 34 respectively located in the mounting flange 26 near the'free apex thereof and in the cover 17 adjacent the flange 18. If desired, suitable bearing elements or bushings may be provided on the flange 26 and/or cover 17 to define such bearing holes. The exterior end of the shaft 33 terminates in a manually actuable crank 35, manual rotation of the crank 35 resulting in a corresponding rotation of the shaft 33. Although a manually actuated shaft is shown in the embodiment illustrated, it is contemplated that a corresponding motor driven shaft may be employed with the motor mounted either interiorly or exteriorly of the receptacle and actuable from outside the receptacle.

However, manual actuation of the device 11 .will be preferred in 'most instances.

The shaft 33 is provided with a radially offset, inter bodiment shown, the offset of the end portion 37 is achieved simply by terminating the interior end of the shaft a short distance beyond the mounting flange 26 and securing the free end portion of one leg 40 of a U- shaped element 38 to the interior end of the shaft 33 in side-by-side relationship thereto, as by welding indicated at 41. The remaining or limit leg 42 of the U- shaped element 38 parallels the shaft-mounted leg 40, is spaced therefrom and is connected thereto by a bight portion 43 preferably integral therewith. The plane defined by the axes of the leg 40 and shaft 33 is preferably at about a 75 angle to axial plane of the legs 40 and 42.

An elongate, barlike striker 46 is rotatably mounted at one end thereof on the leg 40. In the particular embodiment shown, the striker 46 is provided with an opening 47 adjacent one end 48 thereof and which snugly but rotatably receives the leg 40. The pivoted end 48 of the striker is located adjacent the end 36 of the shaft 33. The striker normally extends from the leg 40 beneath (as shown in FIG. 1) the leg 42. The spacing of the shaft axis and rest element is in one embodiment of the invention about 3 inches. The free end 49 of the striker in its normal rest position overlaps the rest element 31 as shown in FIGS. 1-3. Thus, as seen from the end portion 37 of the shaft assembly, as in FIG. 3, the striker 46 is prevented from counterclockwise movement with respect to the leg 40 by the rest element 31. The free end 49 of the striker is preferably 1 beveled as indicated at 51 for purposes appearing hereinafter.

An energy storage member. preferably a coil torsion spring 54 (FIGS. 2 and 3) loosely surrounds the leg between the striker 46 and bight 43 and has a generally hook-shaped actuating end 56 hooked over the length edge 57 of the striker 46. The other length edge 58 of the striker is engageable by the rest 31 and limit leg 42. The actuating end 56 of the spring54 contacts the striker at a point radially spaced from the central axis of the leg 40. The end of the spring 54 remote from the striker 46 terminates in a further hook-shaped end 59 which engages the leg 42.

Thus, rotation of the leg 40 in a counterclockwise direction as seen in FIG. 3,-so as to move the limit leg 42 away from the striker 46 twists the spring 54 and adds potential energy thereto. With the apparatus in its rest condition, shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the spring 54 preferably is pretensioned torsionally to firmly urge the edge 58 of the striker 46 against the limit leg 42.

A cylindrical sleeve 61 is preferably telescoped on the leg 40 between the spring 54 and leg 40, the sleeve preferably snugly surrounding the leg 40 but being loosely surrounded by the spring. The sleeve 61 extends from a point adjacent the bight 43 of the U- shaped portion 37 to a point near the end 36 of shaft 33 so as to limit the movement of the striker 46 axially with respect to the leg 40. r

The device 11 further includes a cradle 63 (FIG. 1) for supporting the glass container 20 to be fragmentized. The cradle 63 is carried by a cradle support 64. The cradle support 64 comprises an elongate strip preferably of sheet steel having a foot 66 affixed to the cover 17, as by welding, near the flange l8 and substantially in diametral'opposition to the elongate support 22. The cradle support 64 extends pendantly from the cover, is angled somewhat toward the support 22, and is of generally similar length. The free end 67 of the cradle support is secured to the cradle 63, for example The cradle support foot 66 as well as the base flange 23 of the support 22, may alternatively be fixed to the cover 17 by fastners, such as screws, rivets, etc. In such case, particularly for metal covers 17, an intervening resilient insulator, such as rubber grommets, may be employed to reduce vibration transfer from the device 11 to the receptacle 13, thereby reducing noise during operation.

The cradle 63 in the particular embodiment shown extends from the cradle support 64 generally toward the U-shaped portion 38 mounted on the shaft 33. The cradle 63 is configured to hold the bottle 20 in a stable position somewhat tipped fromthe horizontal, the neck 69 of the bottle being elevated somewhat above the bottom 70 thereof. The cradle 63 fixedly locates the bottle 20 substantially centrally beneath the cover 17. The cradle includes a curved, generally upwardly concave support zone for preventing rolling of the bottle and provides a bottom support generally indicated at 72 to prevent the bottle from sliding axially downwardly off therefrom. The cradle 63 is, in the particular embodiment shown, formed of a metal rod. More par ticularly, the cradle 63.comprises a short linear bight portion 74 fixed to the cradle support 64 and from the ends of which extend substantially coplanar, slightly diverging, generally L-shaped bottle rests 76 and 77 defining the bottle rest zone. The L-shaped bottle rests 76 and 77 are spaced on opposite sides of the orbit of the free end 49 of the striker 46. The bottle rests 76 and 77 angle downwardly from the bight portion 74 and then toward their leftward ends (as seen in. FIG. 1) angle generally upwardly, the angle between the downwardly and upwardly angled portions of the rests 76 and 77 being about 90.

The bottle rest portions 76 and 77 terminate in spacer portions 79 and 80, respectively, which extend substantially coaxially away from each other and along the sidewall of the bottle 20. The spacer portion 79 terminates in a connector portion 81 which is angled toward the mounting flange 26, extends for a distance along the upperface thereof and is secured thereto as by welding so as to flx the cradle with respect to the cover 17.

The spacer portion 80 extends to the bottom of the bottle 20 and terminates in the aforementioned bottom support 72. The bottom support 72 angles from the spacer portion 80, is substantially horizontal and substantially parallels the radial plane of the bottle 20 for locating the bottle bottom.

OPERATION The device 11 in readily securable to receptacles of various types, including a conventional trash or garbage container of the metal or plastic variety, such as that shown in FIG. 1. Moreover, the device 11 is readily securable to the cover of such a receptacle. More particularly, with the device 11 preassembled, the handle end of the shaft may be inserted through its opening 34 in the radial portion of the cover 17 adjacent the flange l8. Thereafter, the support 22 and 64 may be secured to the radial end wall of the cover by any convenient means such as, for example, rivets, bolts, welding, etc.

It will be noted that the device 11 when thus affixed to the cover 17 can enter the receiver 16 without interference with the sidewalls of the receiver, due to the downward convergence of the supports 22 and 64. F urther, the cradle 63 locates the bottle substantially centrally of the cover 17 so that relatively large bottles or other glass containers may be supported on the cradle for fragmentation or compaction without interference with the side or bottom wall of the receiver 16 when the cover 17 is placed on the receiver 16in a conventional manner. The bottle 20 and striker 46 are preferably located relatively close to the cover 17 to allow proper operation of the device 11 despite substantial filling of the receiver, with glass fragments.

It is preferred that the torsion spring 54 be preloaded, for easier operation of the device 11, by twisting same about its axis before the hooks 56 and 59 are engaged with the striker 46 and leg 42 during preassembly. Preloads in the range of 1- /2 to 8 inch pounds of torque have been found satisfactory, a preferred preload being 4 inch pounds, which in the embodiment shown was achieved with about a 40 twist of the spring. However, it is contemplated, though less preferred, that the torsion spring 54 may be installed without preloading, such requiring a stronger spring to achieve adequate striking force by the striker 46 against the container 20 to be fragmented.

In use, the cover 17 is removed from the receiver 16 and a glass container 20, such as a bottle, to be fragmented is placed on the cradle. The side of the bottle rests on the rests 76 and 77 in cradled relation therewith and the bottom of the bottle rests against the bottom support 72. The cover 17 is then moved downwardly toward the open upper end of the receiver 16, the device 11 and bottle 20 being loosely received in the receiver 16 and the cover 17 coming to rest in overlapping relation on the top of the receiver 16 to close same. I I i Thereupon. the shaft 33 is caused to rotate, in the particular embodiment shown by manual engagement by the operator of the handle 35. The direction of rotation selected causes the leg 40 to orbit toward the striker rest 31 (clockwise in FIGS. 1 and 2). The leg 42 thus moves away from the leading edge 58 of striker 46 to store additional potential energy in the spring 54. Rotation of elements 33, 40 and 42 is as indicated by arrows A, B and C in FIG. 3.

Simultaneously, rotative movement of the leg 40 toward the striker rest 31 and then downwardly causes the striker 46 to be shifted generally longitudinally. in thedirection ofarrow D in FIG. 3, to cause same to further overhang the rest 31.

After a small partial rotation, preferably less than a quarter circle of the shaft 33 and legs 40 and 42, continued rotation causes the striker 46 to substantially reverse direction and shift generally in the direction of arrow E of FIG. 4. When the shaft has completed less than a full rotation. preferably about 200 of rotation, and the leg 40 approaches but is still spaced from diametral opposition to the striker rest 31 across the axis of the shaft 33, generally as seen in FIG. 4, the rotation of the leg 40 will have shifted the striker 46 (due to the offset or eccentricity of the leg 40 from the axis of the shaft 33) sufficiently rightwardly as seen in FIG. 4 that the free end of striker 46 is at the point of losing contact with the rest 31 whereafter it would be free to pivot under the impetus of the spring 54 in the direction of the arrowF. The apparatus is now in its solid line position of FIG. 4.

In such position, the spring 54 has here been wound through approximately 230 from rest and thus contains substantial stored potential energy. Lesser or greater angles of rotation are contemplated, but the striker is to release before leg 40 becomes diametrally separated from stop 31 by the shaft 33. The torque exerted by the spring on the striker in this condition is preferably in the range of 10 to 25 inch pounds, for example, l7 inch pounds.

Release of the striker 46 from the rest 31 by a further incremental rotation of shaft 37 allows conversion of the stored energy to kinetic energy of motion of the striker. The striker thus is accelerated rapidly by the spring 54 after it leaves the rest, progressing through positions indicated at 46A and 46B to a position at 46C, such positions being indicated in broken lines in FIG. 4, the striker stopping upon once again contacting the limit leg 42. Upon movement of the striker 42 through approximately one-half revolution from the striker rest 31, it will collide with the side of the bottle 20 intermediate the cradle legs 76 and 77.

The striker 46 contacts the side of the bottle 20 at substantially right angles to the axis of the bottle and with its relatively narrow leading edge 58. The striker 46 has considerable momentum due to its weight and the substantial tip velocity obtained by reason of the unwinding spring 54. As a result, the striker edge 58 strikes the bottle 20 with a spacially concentrated, high magnitude impact, causing the bottle 20 to shatter.

Referring to FIG. 1, the path of the striker is such that it moves first upwardly toward the cover 17 and then downwardly and rightwardly into contact with the upper left surface ofthe bottle 20 tending both to drive the central portion of the bottle downwardly and at the same time fragment same by the impact of its blow thereon.

Fragmentation to a high degree occurs, the largest fragments normally being at most a short length of the mouth portion of the bottle. Occasionally the bottom wall of the bottle is not fragmented but often it too fragments. Thus, the bulk of the bottle is very substantially reduced. The fragments fall from the cradle and into the bottom portion of the receiver 16.

The device 11 occupies relatively little space in the receiver when the cover is in place and fragments from a substantial number-of bottles can be accumulated in a conventional twenty to thirty gallon, or larger, receiver 16 without interfering with operation of the device l1. 1

' MODIFICATION FIGS. 5 and 6, corresponding generally to FIGS. 2 and 3, disclose a modified form of a portion of the fragmenting and compacting device. Although considered less desirable than the preferred embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-4, the device 91 shownin FIGS. 5 and 6 is still contemplated to lie within the broader aspects of the invention.

Portions of the device 91 generally corresponding to portions of the device 11 will carry the same reference numerals thereas with the suffix E added thereto. Thus, the device 91 includes a shaft 33E stored for rotation by extension through an opening 92 in a fixed mounting flange 26E. The shaft 33E terminates at its rightward end in a generally U-shaped portion 37E (shown fragmentarily) which includes carrier leg 40E and limit leg 42E. The apparatus 91 differs from the apparatus 11 in that the leg 40E in not radially offset from the remainder of shaft 33E but rather is coaxial therewith and is preferably an integral extension thereof. Thus, the striker 46E is rotatably supported on the shaft 33E inboard of spring 54E and pivots about the axis of the shaft 33E. A striker rest 30E is substantially L-shaped having a rest element 31E for supporting the free end of striker 46B and an elongate base element 30E. However, the base element 30E is not fixed to the mounting flange 26E but rather is provided at its end remote from the rest element 31E with a suitable enlarged circular opening 94.

' A circular crank member 96 is provided with an eccentric axial opening 97 through which the shaft 33E is received. The crank member 96 is fixedly-secured to the shaft between the striker 46 and mounting flange 26E as by welding and is thus rotatable with the shaft 33E. The crank member 96 has a central portion 98 rotatably receivable in the opening 94 of the striker rest 30E. Radially extended flange elements 100 and 101 fixed on opposite sides of the central portion 98 maintain the striker rest 28E 'on the central portion of the crank member 96. A guide element 102 extends fixedly from the mounting flange 26E and supports the striker rest 28E for sliding movement therealong in response to rotation of the shaft 33E and crank member 96.

Thus, in use, rotation of the shaft 33E oscillates the striker rest 28E such that at one point in the rotation of the shaft 335, the striker rest 28E will shift (leftwardly as seen in FIG. 6) sufficiently away from the shaft 33E that the striker 46E will no longer be supported by the rest element 31E and thus will be caused to rapidly rotatably accelerate, by reason of a tensioning of the spring 54E, about the axis of the shaft 335 and as about the axis of the shaft 33E and as abovedescribed with respect to the device 11 of FIG. 1, strike and fragmentizea bottle in the path thereof.

FIGS. 7 and 8 disclose a further modification similar to the embodiment of FIGS. 1 through 4 but differing therefrom in the manner in which the inner end of the shaft supports the striker. Parts of the apparatus of FIGS. 7 and 8 corresponding to portions of the apparatus in FIGS. l4 will carry the same reference numerals thereas with the suffix F" added thereto. The apparatus 110 of FIG/7 includes a shaft 33F which extends through the bearing opening 32F in mounting flange 26F and terminates in an integral offset portion 40F. The offset portion 40F includes a portion 111 axially paralleling the shaft 33 and radially offset therefrom and a connecting portion 112 intervening therebetween. The striker 46F is in the particular embodiment shown provided with an extension on its rotatable end, such extension being L-shaped and comprising a substantially b'arlike bight portion 114 and an end portion 116 paralleling the main body of the striker 46F and being likewise provided with an opening for receiving in rotative relation therethrough the element 111. The limit element generally indicated at 42F comprises a limit portion 117 paralleling the shaft 33F, and a pair of angled connecting portions 118 and 119, the end connecting portion 119 being affixed preferably by welding to connecting portion 112 to form a rigid assembly. The relative location of the axes'of parts 33F, 40F and 42F, as seen from the end in FIG. 8, is generally similar to that of the corresponding parts of the apparatus in FIG. 3. A spring 54F circumferentially surrounds the striker and the shaft portions 114 and 111, and has ends 56F and 59F engaging the'striker and limit element 42F, respectively. A rest 31F is notched at 120 to prevent the striker 46F from slipping sideways off therefrom.

The free end of the parallel element 117 and the inboard end of the portion 111 are preferably upset as indicated at 121 and 122, respectively, for retaining the spring 54F and striker 46F axially with respect to the shaft. Similarly, upsets 123 and 124 may be provided on the shaft 33F during preassembly on opposite sides of the mounting flange 26F to axially locate the shaft 33F with respect to said flange.

The operation of the unit is essentially similar to that described above with respect to the apparatus of FIGS. l4 and requires no further discussion. The unit 110-is advantageous from the standpoint of assembly since the striker and spring can be assembled onto the elements 40F and 42F after the latter have been welded together and similarly can be readily removed, as for example in case of a breakage of a spring, and thereafter replaced. The engagement of the spring and/or hook 59F with the upset 121 prevents unintended axial movement of the spring 54F and striker rightwardly, as seen in FIG. 7, off the end of the element 111 rotatably supporting same.

Though more complex and less preferred, the inventor in its broader aspects is contemplated to include provision ofa rest similar to rest 31F which may be supported on the mounting flange 26F to resiliently slide out of the way of the striker 46F upon contact by the sloped end edge 51F of such striker upon reverse rotation of the striker. Such would allow return of the striker to its rest condition, after fragmenting a bottle,

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

like comprising in combination:

means for supporting said glass container;

a striker and shaft means for supporting said striker at least for rotation with respect to said glass container support and from a rest zone along a path intersecting the glass container;

energy storage means connected to said striker for moving said striker along said path and against said glass container with sufficient force as to break said glass container;

stop means engageable with the striker for preventing movement of said striker from said rest zone;

said shaft means including storing means for storing energy in said energy storage means, and eccentric means locating one of said striker and stop means on said shaft means for thereafter disengaging said striker and said stop means to enable said energy 1. A device for fragmenting glass containers or the storage means to move said striker into striking contact with said glass container;

said shaft means comprising a shaft, means supporting said shaft for rotation, means defining first and second legs extending substantially in the same direction as said shaft, at least said second leg being offset from said shaft, said legs being fixed with respect to said shaft for rotation therewith, said striker comprising an elongate bar mounted for rotation on said first leg and extending substantially radially therefrom past said second leg, the free end of said striker being rotatable in said path intersecting said container, said energy storage means comprising a coiled torsion spring surrounding said first leg and secured at its ends to said second leg and said striker, respectively, for urging said striker toward said second leg, so that rotation of said shaft tends to rotate said striker, said stop means initially blocking rotation of said striker from said rest zone while rotation of said second leg with respect to said striker stores potential energy in said spring.

2. The device of claim 1, in which said first leg is offsetfrom said shaft to define said eccentric means and moves said striker longitudinally on said stop means for a first fraction of the rotation of said shaft and moves said striker off said stop means during a second fraction of said shaft rotation, whereby said spring accelerates said striker into forcible contact with said container to breaksame.

3. The device of claim 2, in which said first leg is an integral extension of said first shaft and said second leg includes at its inboard end a connecting portion fixed to said first leg adjacent the inboard end of said first leg, said striker having a U-shaped base portion rotatable on said shaft and surrounded by said spring, the outboard end of said second leg having an enlargement for releasably locating said spring and striker on said second and first legs respectively.

4. The device of claim 1, in which said first leg is located coaxially of said shaft, said stop means being connected by said eccentric means to said shaft, said eccentric means including means responsive to a first fractional part of a shaft rotation for moving said stop means relative to; said striker in one direction and responsive to a second fraction of shaft rotation for moving said stop means in another direction and out of contact with said striker, whereby said spring accelerates said striker into forcible contact with said container to break same.

5. A device for fragmenting glass containers or the like comprisingin combination:

means for supporting said glass container at a fragmenting location;

a striker movable through a closed orbital path, said fragmenting location and a striker rest zone being spaced along said orbital path; shaft means rotatable with respect to said striker; stop means adjacent said rest zone and engageable withthe striker for blocking orbital movement of said striker from said rest zone toward said fragmenting location;

eccentric means fixedon said shaft means and rotatable therewith and locating one of said striker and stop means on said shaft means for relatively shifting said striker and said stop means out. of said blocking engagement in response to an initial rotational increment of said shaft means;

energy storage means interconnecting said eccentric means and striker for storing energy during said initial rotational increment of said shaft means and for impelling said striker through said orbital path from said rest zone to fragment said glass container;

whereby said container can be loaded on said supporting means prior to said initial shaft means rotation.

6. The device of claim 5, including a closed housing normally enclosing said container support means and shaft means, said housing including means defining a closure member pendently supporting said support means and shaft means and openable for enabling loading of a glass container onto said supporting means prior to said storage of energy.

7. The device of claim 6, in which said housing comprises a conventional portable trash can construction having a hollow upwardly opening bottom part for receivingcontainer fragments, said closure member comprising a cover for the open top of said trash can construction, said container support means and shaft means being mounted pendently on said cover and adapted for loose reception within said bottom part when said cover is placed thereon to close said housing.

8. The device of claim 6, in which said shaft means includes an elongate shaft supported on said closure member for rotation with respect thereto and extending outwardly therethrough for external rotation, with said closure member in a closed condition.

9. The device of claim 5, in which said shaft means comprises a rotatable shaft, said eccentric means comprising first and second legs fixed to and extending substantially in the same direction as said-shaft, at least said second leg being offset from said shaft, said striker comprising an elongate bar carried by and rotatable with respect to said first leg and extending substantially radially therefrom past said second leg, said energy storage means comprising a resilient member connecting said striker and second leg. i. 10. The device of claim 6, in which said container supporting means includes leg means engaging the bottom and sidewall of said container for cradling said container in sloped orientation beneath said closure member, said shaft means extending in sloped relation substantially beyond the location of said container and through said closure member.

11. The device of claim 5, in which said eccentric means includes means defining a leg fixed with respect to and offset from said shaft and rotatably supporting said striker thereon for sliding said striker out of blocking engagement with said stop means after said initial rotational increment.

12. The device of claim 11, in which said eccentric means includes a further leg fixed with respect to and offset from said shaft means and first mentioned leg, said energy storage means being fixed to said further leg, said striker bearing on said further leg to enable maintenance of preenergizing in said energy storage means.

13. The device of claim 5, in which said striker and storage means are resiliently held in fixed relation with respect to each other and to said eccentric means and shaft means and are rotatable with said shaft means. 

1. A device for fragmenting glass containers or the like comprising in combination: means for supporting said glass container; a striker and shaft means for supporting said striker at least for rotation with respect to said glass container support and from a rest zone along a path intersecting the glass container; energy storage means connected to said striker for moving said striker along said path and against said glass container with sufficient force as to break said glass container; stop means engageable with the striker for preventing movement of said striker from said rest zone; said shaft means including storing means for storing energy in said energy storage means, and eccentric means locating one of said striker and stop means on said shaft means for thereafter disengaging said striker and said stop means to enable said energy storage means to move said striker into striking contact with said glass container; said shaft means comprising a shaft, means supporting said shaft for rotation, means defining first and second legs extending substantially in the same direction as said shaft, at least said second leg being offset from said shaft, said legs being fIxed with respect to said shaft for rotation therewith, said striker comprising an elongate bar mounted for rotation on said first leg and extending substantially radially therefrom past said second leg, the free end of said striker being rotatable in said path intersecting said container, said energy storage means comprising a coiled torsion spring surrounding said first leg and secured at its ends to said second leg and said striker, respectively, for urging said striker toward said second leg, so that rotation of said shaft tends to rotate said striker, said stop means initially blocking rotation of said striker from said rest zone while rotation of said second leg with respect to said striker stores potential energy in said spring.
 2. The device of claim 1, in which said first leg is offset from said shaft to define said eccentric means and moves said striker longitudinally on said stop means for a first fraction of the rotation of said shaft and moves said striker off said stop means during a second fraction of said shaft rotation, whereby said spring accelerates said striker into forcible contact with said container to break same.
 3. The device of claim 2, in which said first leg is an integral extension of said first shaft and said second leg includes at its inboard end a connecting portion fixed to said first leg adjacent the inboard end of said first leg, said striker having a U-shaped base portion rotatable on said shaft and surrounded by said spring, the outboard end of said second leg having an enlargement for releasably locating said spring and striker on said second and first legs respectively.
 4. The device of claim 1, in which said first leg is located coaxially of said shaft, said stop means being connected by said eccentric means to said shaft, said eccentric means including means responsive to a first fractional part of a shaft rotation for moving said stop means relative to said striker in one direction and responsive to a second fraction of shaft rotation for moving said stop means in another direction and out of contact with said striker, whereby said spring accelerates said striker into forcible contact with said container to break same.
 5. A device for fragmenting glass containers or the like comprising in combination: means for supporting said glass container at a fragmenting location; a striker movable through a closed orbital path, said fragmenting location and a striker rest zone being spaced along said orbital path; shaft means rotatable with respect to said striker; stop means adjacent said rest zone and engageable with the striker for blocking orbital movement of said striker from said rest zone toward said fragmenting location; eccentric means fixed on said shaft means and rotatable therewith and locating one of said striker and stop means on said shaft means for relatively shifting said striker and said stop means out of said blocking engagement in response to an initial rotational increment of said shaft means; energy storage means interconnecting said eccentric means and striker for storing energy during said initial rotational increment of said shaft means and for impelling said striker through said orbital path from said rest zone to fragment said glass container; whereby said container can be loaded on said supporting means prior to said initial shaft means rotation.
 6. The device of claim 5, including a closed housing normally enclosing said container support means and shaft means, said housing including means defining a closure member pendently supporting said support means and shaft means and openable for enabling loading of a glass container onto said supporting means prior to said storage of energy.
 7. The device of claim 6, in which said housing comprises a conventional portable trash can construction having a hollow upwardly opening bottom part for receiving container fragments, said closure member comprising a cover for the open top of said trash can construction, said contaiNer support means and shaft means being mounted pendently on said cover and adapted for loose reception within said bottom part when said cover is placed thereon to close said housing.
 8. The device of claim 6, in which said shaft means includes an elongate shaft supported on said closure member for rotation with respect thereto and extending outwardly therethrough for external rotation, with said closure member in a closed condition.
 9. The device of claim 5, in which said shaft means comprises a rotatable shaft, said eccentric means comprising first and second legs fixed to and extending substantially in the same direction as said shaft, at least said second leg being offset from said shaft, said striker comprising an elongate bar carried by and rotatable with respect to said first leg and extending substantially radially therefrom past said second leg, said energy storage means comprising a resilient member connecting said striker and second leg.
 10. The device of claim 6, in which said container supporting means includes leg means engaging the bottom and sidewall of said container for cradling said container in sloped orientation beneath said closure member, said shaft means extending in sloped relation substantially beyond the location of said container and through said closure member.
 11. The device of claim 5, in which said eccentric means includes means defining a leg fixed with respect to and offset from said shaft and rotatably supporting said striker thereon for sliding said striker out of blocking engagement with said stop means after said initial rotational increment.
 12. The device of claim 11, in which said eccentric means includes a further leg fixed with respect to and offset from said shaft means and first mentioned leg, said energy storage means being fixed to said further leg, said striker bearing on said further leg to enable maintenance of preenergizing in said energy storage means.
 13. The device of claim 5, in which said striker and storage means are resiliently held in fixed relation with respect to each other and to said eccentric means and shaft means and are rotatable with said shaft means. 